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Page 1: Natural beauty - CPUT Bulletin/CPUT... · their expertise and they did not hesitate to come on board,” ... multigrade facility and bene- ... the idea behind the day is to

have one year experience in their pocket by the time they leave university. They have the qualifications and the right skills and this is what employers are looking for,” she says.

CPUT’s unique offering of courses also gives our graduates that extra edge like in the Informatics and Design (FID) faculty which is the only one of its kind in the country.

CPUT is a frontrunner in the training of specialized designers across a spectrum of disciplines including applied and environment design, informatics and media studies.

FRONTRUNNER

This was evident at the recent Design Indaba held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Not only did CPUT receive an honourable mention for their out of the ordinary stand but many of the exhibitors showcasing their own work were our graduates.

The Design Indaba is the premier gathering of creatives in the country, as well as internationally, and FID’s Munira Allie says it is a confidence booster to see so many CPUT faces at the event.

well-rounded graduates who are sought after in industry.

But what sets CPUT graduates apart from the rest is that each is work-ready and can hit the ground running once employed.

Thanks to the university’s compulsory Work Integrated Learning Programme, all students complete 3 to 12 months hands on training in industry.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: CPUT students get months of on-site training.

STRIKING: The CPUT stand at the annual Design Indaba was a show stopper.

Thanks to CPUT’s solid reputation as a provider of skilled staff, this year’s 6555 graduates will be going into the working world practically guaranteed a job.

High teaching standards, a full-proof curriculum and an array of impressive student support systems sees CPUT churn out

PATH TO SUCCESS

CPUT BulletinAPRIL/MAY 2012 EDITION 3

What’s Inside

www.cput.ac.za

Building FuturesPage 2

CPUT Host Top Rugby SquadPage 8

Affordable Party Venue HirePage 7

GraduationPage 4-5

17 - 19 May

Open Day

22 - 23 May

Co-Operative Education Indaba

23 - 25 May

New Product Development Course

28 May

Blackboard Training

UPCOMING EVENTS

“The main reason our graduates are employed

is because they have one-year experience in their pocket by the time they

leave university.”

BY LAUREN KANSLEY AND CANDES KEATING

Campus News. Informative Views.

CPUT graduates appreciated in industry

Manager of Co-Operative Education Fundiswa Nofemela says the programme is such a success that a number of graduates secure employment at the places where they are completing their internships before they graduate.

SKILLS

“The main reason our graduates are employed is because they

Page 2: Natural beauty - CPUT Bulletin/CPUT... · their expertise and they did not hesitate to come on board,” ... multigrade facility and bene- ... the idea behind the day is to

community projects ranging from clothing manufacture to income generation pilots.

Advocate Sifumba joins Community Engagement’s Buntu Gwija who is a long standing member of SIFE.

“I’m new at this but I’m looking forward to the challenge,” she says.“I am confident that I have something to give.”

project and create beauty products from the essential oils.

EXPERTISE

“We decided to contact CPUT because we were aware of their expertise and they did not hesitate to come on board,” she says .

During the past few months ELF and CPUT researchers in the Chemistry Department worked on creating a number of beauty

CPUT BULLETIN 2 | APRIL/MAY 2012

“The beauty products will be marketed to the

hospitality industry.”

“I’m new at this but I’m looking forward

to the challenge”

Construction work is well underway at the Mowbray Campus which is undergoing a major revamp.

The infrastructure developments at the campus are part of CPUT’s consolidation process.

This process, funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training and out of CPUT coffers, has already seen several building projects completed over the past few years.

These developments will facilitate the consolidation of departments replicated at the various campuses.

During the next few months the Mowbray Campus building will be extended to accommodate several new lecture theaters, laboratories and staff offices. The extension will allow the Bellville based Education Department to relocate to the Mowbray Campus, which is home to the Education Faculty.

BY CANDES KEATING

MOWBRAY REVAMP

HARD WORKERS: Architecture students completing the front entrance façade.

BUILDING FUTURESViolent protests, public holidays and a broken bus didn’t put the Architecture Department off their goal of improving a farm school.

CPUT has a long standing relationship with the St Michael’s Primary School in Grabouw because it has been identified as a model multigrade facility and bene-fitted from a mini-renovation last year.

The tiny school was at the centre of recent education and race related clashes between locals. However all that has been forgotten after a second week long renovation at the school left the premises with an improved decking area and new entrance.

Co-ordinated by lecturers Hermie Voulgarelis and Rudolf Perold the project forms part of the Architecture Department’s sustainable design build projects.Last year students built a decking area and outside pergola and now a different group has returned to extend the decking and emphasise the school entrance.

DECKING

Voulgarelis says even a new paint job has a profound psychological effect on the teachers and students who struggle with overcrowded classes and inferior facilities.

“This beautiful deck was used as the stage for the schools Christmas Pageant,” she says.“It has also become a spill over

area where kids sit and eat their meals.”

Voulgarelis praised her students for their patience and perseverance during the renovation. “Students arrived on site late one day since their bus

broke on Sir Lowrys Pass!” she says.

Work is expected to continue through to next year with the possible introduction of a new school kitchen, library and better toilet facilities.

Grabouw school renovationBY LAUREN KANSLEY

BY CANDES KEATING

BY LAUREN KANSLEY

From lip balms to hand creams, researchers from the Chemistry Department and the Elgin Learning Foundation (ELF) thought of it all when developing a line of environmentally friendly beauty products.

While the products will benefit those looking to invest in chemical-free beauty products, it will also go a long way to benefit poor families who live in the Grabouw area.

The production of beauty products forms part of a community project, run by ELF, an organization in Grabouw that aims to uplift rural communities through the implementation of projects and training programmes.

Anne Karlsson, a researcher at ELF and former CPUT employee said a group of women in the community were creating essential oils from lavender plants grown in the area.

Karlson says ELF saw an opportunity to step up the

Natural beauty

products that are all chemical free.Chemistry researcher, Daniela Kucich, who is at the helm of the project says CPUT created all the formulas and then trained community members how to manufacture the products.

CEO of ELF, Thabo Makgobutlane, says he ispleased with the outcome of the collaboration with CPUT.

The beauty products, which include soaps, lip balms, body scrubs and creams, will be marketed to the hospitality industry.

BEAUTY: Some of the products produced by CPUT and the Elgin Learning Foundation.

BUSINESS MENTOR

Congratulations to Advocate Mandlakazi Sifumba who was recently appointed to the Student In Free Enterprize (SIFE) organisation.

SIFE, a national body, aims to nurture the talents of business and entrepreneurial minded students at tertiary level and Advocate Sifumba will be looking after around 50 CPUT youngsters.

Advocate Sifumba, who works as a Judicial Officer at the Bellville Campus, says her main objective as a Co-Faculty Advisor will be to ensure SIFE students enhance their community engagement while practicing their business skills.

“They run these fantastic projects but we need to ask ourselves how it benefits the greater community,” she explains.SIFE CPUT is already connected to six local

HELP AT HAND: Advocate Mandlakazi Sifumba.

Researchers create green skincare products

Page 3: Natural beauty - CPUT Bulletin/CPUT... · their expertise and they did not hesitate to come on board,” ... multigrade facility and bene- ... the idea behind the day is to

then the onus is on them to sort out the problem.”

Ntsababa receives daily requests from these “fake” students who approach him for help to get registered. “They usually try and get registered after they have written their first exam and see that they passed. However if they are not registered those results are automatically null and void,” he says.

Ntsababa says these unregistered students are a huge drain and burden on the entire institution from the classroom right to his office.

APRIL/MAY 2012 | 3Campus News. Informative Views.

New Registrar AnnouncedAfter two years of acting in his position Nikile Ntsababa has officially been appointed CPUT Registrar.

And with April being graduation month, one of the first issues he is tackling is weeding out the hundreds of students who attend classes without being officially registered.

“I don’t even like to call them students because they aren’t,” he says.

“They are stealing from the institution. It’s like shoplifting then when you get caught you say you were going to pay next week.”

CRACKDOWN

The crackdown on these unregistered students will be a re-emphasis on class lists and a closer relationship with faculty advisors.

“If a student’s name isn’t on a class list a lecturer shouldn’t mark that script,” says Ntsababa. “If the person is a genuine student

Dear Reader,As we head into the month of May it’s hard to believe a quarter of the year is almost over.

Hopefully like us you are rearing to go after a restful Easter break.

April is always an exciting time in the CPUT community because not only does the institution host one of the biggest graduation ceremonies to take place during the year but the eagerly anticipated Open Day also takes place.

With over 6555 students graduating and thousands of potential ones descending on our campuses, it’s a case of all hands on deck to make sure both events are seamless and enjoyable.

Behind the scenes a squad of staff members has been working tirelessly for months to make sure the moment a CPUT graduate receives his certificate is a memorable one.

STRUCTURES

Check out next month’s edition of the CPUT Bulletin where Ntsababa will shed more light on the often complicated nature of university structures.

“Universities structures can be a complex thing and it is in every staff member’s best interest if they understand who fits in where,” he says.

“That way you know where to take your complaints and understand the decisions that have been made.”

Fake students first to feel the sting BY LAUREN KANSLEY

WelcomeRegistrations, Examinations, Facilities and Marketing and Communications all have important roles to play.

In Examinations every student’s results are checked then double checked for accuracy. In Registrations they ensure every person receiving a certificate is a bona fide student and here in Marketing and Communications we deal with all the VIP’s, guest speakers and the procession.

And let’s not forget the Maintenance and Facilities departments who ensure the halls are ready to receive almost 10 000 guests.

As we say so-long to one year’s clutch of graduates we also say hello to the next generation of CPUT students at Open Day.

A few short years from now many of them will stand on the same stage graduating from this fine institution.

The Editorial Team

HEAVY HITTER: Registrar Nikile Ntsababa is tackling the problem of unregistered students first.

GROWING PARTNERSHIPS

CPUT is living up to its mission statement and cementing partnerships with institutions and agencies, both nationally and worldwide.

One of its most notable partnerships is with the French, who during the past few years have collaborated with CPUT on a number of successful projects.

To celebrate and build on this successful partnership, CPUT will host a French delegation in September, as part of a French Day Celebration.

Dr Pierre Le Monde, a French Embassy representative, says the idea behind the day is to highlight all aspects of French culture at CPUT as well as their investments in innovation and higher education in South Africa.

The celebrations will include exhibitions, round table discussions, workshops and

conferences. Dr Le Monde says they will soon put out a call for conference papers, which will highlight various research areas in the higher education sector.

INVESTMENT

Director of International Affairs, Merle Hodges says CPUT is looking forward to hosting the French delegation. “We really would like to use this day to celebrate the French investment in CPUT,” she says. CPUT has collaborations with the French Embassy, the French Ministry of Education and Research, and several universities as well as with several top French companies.

The most notable and successful collaboration to date is F’SATI, a joint venture between CPUT and ESIEE-Paris, a graduate school in France. The most recent collaboration resulted in the establishment of the Product Lifecycle Management Competency Centre, launched in April at the Bellville campus.

BY CANDES KEATING

BY CANDES KEATING

ALLIANCE: Collaborations between the French and CPUT are proving to be a huge success.Budding Innovators

If you want to turn your research concept into a product or viable service, then now is your chance.

CPUT is calling all budding innovators to apply for the next round of funding from the University’s Innovation Fund.

The resources will offer support for up to 36 months, allowing researchers to turn their ideas into tangible products or services.

Set up in 2009, the Innovation Fund has allocated funding to a number of CPUT researchers who have proved to be true innovators. To date the university has filed 13 patents and established a spin-off company, the UAV-SYSCo Pty Ltd, from one of the patents.

As part of the process, staff members have to submit a hard copy application form to the Technology Transfer Office, outlining their intended project and its innovation features, along with a budget outline.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 2 May 2012.

Queries can be directed to Karen Martin [email protected], Halimah Rabiu [email protected], Prof Gary Atkinson-Hope [email protected] or Dr Chris Nhlapo [email protected]

IDEAS: Researchers are encouraged to become innovators.

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CPUT BULLETIN 4 | APRIL/MAY 2012

GRADUATION 2012There were three reasons Eugene Visser completed his Doctorate in Information Technology.

The 34-year-old credited God, his wife and supervisor Prof Melius Weideman.In a humorous thank you speech Dr Visser recalled Prof Weideman admonishing him in one of their first encounters as student and lecturer.

Years later the relationship is warmer and Weideman paid tribute to Dr Visser’s incredible work ethic.

DYSLEXIA WAS ADVANTAGE“He is an example to all Masters students that you can do it,” he says.Dr Visser’s achievement is even more remarkable because he is dyslexic.

“I have to put in eight to 10 times the amount of effort someone else does,” he says.

“The advantage is that it makes you think about things differently.”

With an aggregate of 85% over three years of study, it is no wonder Clothing and Textile Technology student Marguerite Stoffberg scooped the Engineering Dean’s award at this year’s graduation.

A modest 22-year-old, Marguerite says hard work coupled with passion and drive for her studies helped her obtain an A-aggregate throughout her diploma years.“I am a very driven person and I always try to do the best I can.”

And studying at CPUT has been one of the best choices Marguerite has ever made.“Clothing has always been a passion of mine. When I heard about this course, I thought it was a good opportunity to get into industry,” she says.

BY LAUREN KANSLEY

Currently enrolled full-time for her Btech in Clothing Management and working part-time in the Quality Department at Pep Manufacturing in Parow, a bright-eyed Marguerite has big plans for her future.

“I want to try a whole lot of different things in the industry. Ultimately I would like to run my own business,” she says.

Other Dean Medalists include Eliaser Ikela from Applied Sciences, Tanya Botbyl from Education and Social Sciences, Stephanie Geldenhuys from Health and Wellness Sciences, Christoffel Basson from FID and Jennifer Katsch from the Faculty of Business.

CPUT made history during graduation week, having capped its first class of Mathematical Technology graduates.

Rolled-out in 2008, the Mathematical Technology Diploma was specifically designed to address the dire shortage of skilled mathematicians and statisticians in South Africa.

The group of 29 graduates are spoilt for choice as their qualification allows them to pick and choose from a long list of career opportunities, ranging from forensic analysts to stock traders. And it’s exactly this broad spectrum of job opportunities that helped the university win over graduate Thembela Hadi.

Thembela first heard of the course when a CPUT School Liaison officer visited her school. With a keen interest in numbers, she knew the course would be a perfect fit.

“The course was tough, but worth all the effort,” she says.Graduate Xoliswa Wedu enrolled for the course by chance as all the other courses she was initially interested in were full. “I didn’t plan to do this at all, but I don’t regret my choice.”

Graduation A-Listers

“I am a very driven person and I always try to do the best I can.”

Xoliswa says people have a wrong perception of mathematics as being difficult. She says with hard work and determination, anyone who enjoys working with numbers will benefit from the course. While a number of the graduates are now

Maths graduates make history

completing their BTech in Quality Management, others have already been snapped up by industry.

Mnoneleli Mtshoniswa is working at Standard Bank in Bellville. However, he hopes to soon move into the Engineering sector.

BY CANDES KEATING | PHOTOGRAPH BY CLIVE GALANTBY CANDES KEATING

NUMBERS: Coline Fouce and Thembela Hadi are two of CPUT’s first Mathematical Technology graduates.

GO-GETTER: Engineering Dean Medalist Marguerite Stoffberg.

“The course was tough, but worth all

the effort”

MUTUAL RESPECT: Prof Melius Weideman with Dr Eugene Visser.

“He is an example to all Masters students that

you can do it”

Page 5: Natural beauty - CPUT Bulletin/CPUT... · their expertise and they did not hesitate to come on board,” ... multigrade facility and bene- ... the idea behind the day is to

BY CANDES KEATING | PHOTOGRAPH BY CLIVE GALANT

Campus News. Informative Views. APRIL/MAY 2012 | 5

GRADUATION 2012

BY THAMI NKWANYANE

As one of the few professions that require new recruits to take an oath of service, the Nursing Department had a separate event from the week long graduation ceremonies.

Over 200 graduates took their pledge of service and lit the ceremonial lamp to commemorate entering the revered vocation. Guest speaker Dr Una Kyriacos has dedicated 40 years of her life to the profession and was moved to tears when she addressed the class of 2011.

Solemn Pledge

“Patients are the most vulnerable. You can’t have a head and no heart,” she says.

Kyriacos told graduates that they had chosen a profession which would last well into their senior years and explained that the silver tsunami (registered nurses over 50 years old) make up almost 50% of nurses in South Africa.

“It’s never too late to make changes. I am still in practice after 40 years,” she says.

She also urged the graduates to assist less qualified colleagues.

Who better to encourage the Class of 2011, than an impressive host of CPUT alumni who are movers and shakers in politics, industry and academia.

And the thrust of their messages was for graduates to go out into the working world and to do their best.

Member of the Executive Management of the Absa Group, Gavin Mageni, who obtained his Human Resources qualifications at CPUT, reminded graduates of the importance of small courtesies like greeting and looking neat at work.

From Cape Town to London, CPUT’s 12 graduation ceremonies were out there for the world to watch.

Thanks to Derek Stocken, his team at Student Media and CPUT’s Web Designer, Lovemore Nalube, all 12 Graduation ceremonies were broadcast live online.

The streaming took place without any hitches and attracted around more than 12 000 online-viewers, from CPUT staff members to the public. “Within the first 30 minutes of our first broadcast

60 people had already logged in to watch the ceremony,” says Nalube.

The top five cities to access the page were Cape Town, Johannesburg, London, Woking and Parow.

While Nalube offered the background support, the Student Media team was responsible for filming the ceremonies.

Stocken says it was a great collaboration between different departments at the university.“The expertise is at the institution. It is just about working together,” he says.

Online Ceremonies

Reach for the Top

eNews sports anchor Lance Witten , who studied journalism at the Bellville Campus, encouraged the future workforce to “build their brand” and take pride in their work.

While Casper de Villiers, Director and founder at Clickatell, who completed his studies in Retail Business Management in 1994, encouraged the graduates to never stop learning.

GRADUATION GOAL

She’s been robbed of her travelling money and textbooks and spent years working in a butchery to get herself to this point.

Now finally after a long hard road Tumi Hartnick graduated with her National Higher Certificate (NHC) in Accounting.

Tumi works as a Creditors Clerk at Vodacom’s Western Cape Head Office but each day she settles into her plush office she remembers the trying conditions and

determination it took to get her there.

Her dedication to work toward a dream was displayed early when as a matriculant in 2006 she worked at a meat market close to her Grassy Park home to pay for extra Mathematics classes. Day in and day out customers whine of “I don’t want fat please” fuelled her determination to get out.“I knew that this could not be my life. I saved every cent I could so that I could get out of the meat market,” she says.

Eventually luck smiled on her and she was offered a position

as an administrative assistant at furniture shop in Diep River. Little by little she saved and eventually in 2009 she managed to register for the NHC in Accounting at CPUT’s Cape Town campus. The part time study experience included leaving classes early to catch the last bus home. “I’ve been mugged, robbed of my textbooks and bus fare but none of these mishaps have made me lose sight of my goal to be the first university graduate in my family,” she says.

DRIVEN: Tumi Hartnick at her offices in Century City.

ENCOURAGE: Chancellor Dr Trevor Manuel, Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga and alumnus Lance Witten.

COMMITMENT: Sister Elizabeth Mangweni assists a new student with lighting his ceremonial lamp.

BY LAUREN KANSLEY

LIVE: CPUT’s Web Developer Lovemore Nalube and Derek Stocken.

BY CANDES KEATING | PHOTOGRAPH BY CLIVE GALANT

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on the Cape Town Campus was selected as the spot for the inaugural art exhibit.

The installation based on the concept of water is a paper

“I’m extremely proud and thankful to have received this award. It makes me feel comforted in terms of knowing what I am doing in the classroom is the right thing,” he says.

Dos Santos, an alumnus of CPUT, has a hands-on approach to teaching, giving students

CPUT BULLETIN 6 | APRIL/MAY 2012

Operation Beautify CPUT is going full steam ahead.

Led by Industrial Design lecturer Prof David Boonzaier the aim is to showcase students work in common areas around all campuses.

With the backing of the Vice-Chancellor the installations are expected to pop up and be changed regularly.

Prof Boonzaier says the idea came to him while walking along a corridor on the sixth floor of the Cape Town campus.

“For an institution with an architecture and design school I was struck by how drab it was. Those elements should be reflected in the buildings,” he says. “There was a need to do something stylish.”

After approaching FID Dean Prof Johannes Cronje the idea was given the green light and a space in the Student Centre

BY LAUREN KANSLEY

ART TREATPop up exhibits dotted around campus

Merit Awards for students

Excellence in teaching recognised

“These works will be changed often so

that it’s a dynamic, engaging thing.”

“I take my job seriously and do it

professionally”

Beyond the call of duty

folding exercise conducted by first year Surface Design Students. Cascading from floor to ceiling the striking piece dominates the usually dreary corner.

“Unfortunately the Cape Town campus and the Design school especially has very little student space,” says Prof Boonzaier.

“Luckily we managed to find this unused section. These works will be changed often so that it’s a dynamic, engaging thing.”

Lockable frames and cases are now being made for smaller and pricier exhibits and wool hangings made by Second Year Surface Design students will be displayed soon.

PRICK OF INTEREST: The paper art exhibit in Cape Town.

INTERESTING: Art exhibits like this wool hanging will be put on display.

BY CANDES KEATING

BY CANDES KEATING

The Engineering Faculty recently recognised and celebrated lecturers who are going beyond the call of duty.

Engineering lecturers Bernadette Millar and Rui dos Santos received the Faculty of Engineering Distinguished Teacher’s Award for 2012.

Millar, a lecturer in the Clothing and Textile Department is widely known as one of the most inventive lecturers in the faculty, having introduced a system that allows for the analysis of first year results for each student in all subjects in her department.

Passionate about teaching Millar says the highlights

of teaching is engaging with students and being able to draw the best out of them.

“Many teachers make the mistake of looking at students as deficient and not properly prepared for university. I take a positive approach and look at how to unlock their strengths,” she says.

NEW MEDIA

For Millar, teaching is about being inventive. An educator for 35 years, Millar uses free writing, visual literacy education and new media as teaching tools.“I like to try new things all the time. I also use laughter as a strategy. I want students to see learning as fun,” she says.

Dos Santos who lectures in the Maritime Studies Department has only been teaching for two years, but has already made his mark at CPUT.

individual attention to ensure each one understands all the aspects of the course.

He also does not limit teaching to the classroom but regularly takes students to industry to see how things are done in the working world.

“I did not do anything extravagant, but I take my job seriously and do it professionally,’ he says modestly.

TEACHERS: Bernadette Millar and Rui dos Santos have been recognised as top teachers.

Hard work and dedication to your studies does pay off.

Recently the Clothing and Textile Technology Department held their annual Merit Awards Ceremony, where they celebrated students’ achievements.

The event saw a large number of students from the Extended Curriculum Programme right up until Btech level receive trophies, medals, gifts and certificates.

This year Marguerite Stoffberg stole the show, clinching the most awards, including the award for Excellence, given to students who have excelled throughout the three year diploma.

But Head of the Department, Dr Elspa Hovgaard says the Merit Award Ceremony doesn’t only recognise top achievers but also acknowledges the sterling work done by students in other areas.

Medals were given to all Extended Curriculum Programme students, who designed and manufactured graduation gowns for Grade R learners at one of Cape Town’s impoverished schools.

The Golden Star award was awarded to three students who managed to successfully complete the 2011 academic year, despite trying situations.

Lecturer Bernadette Millar said the Golden Star award is special because it recognises courage and the determination of students.

CUT ABOVE

PROUD: Some of the top achievers in the Clothing and

Textile Technology Department.

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Campus News. Informative Views. APRIL/MAY 2012 | 7

BY LAUREN KANSLEY

BY LAUREN KANSLEY

BY LAUREN KANSLEY

Globe trotting alumnus does CPUT proud

SUCCESSFUL: Kelly Arendse has recently been made an Associate at Louis Karol Architects.

BY CANDES KEATING

Journey To The TopShe’s travelled the world, completed her Masters and been made an Associate at an architecture firm - all before the age of 27.

But Kelly Arendse’s journey to success started as a first year Architecture student way back in 2003.

She had just returned from a gap year in Bahrain and applied for late acceptance into the course.“I was really grateful that they allowed me in and didn’t ask me to try again a year later,” she says.

In 2004, and as a second year student, Kelly successfully applied to a new bursary programme being established by respected architecture firm Louis Karol.

This move sparked an almost decade long relationship which

recently culminated in the exciting news that Kelly has been made an Associate at the firm- one of the youngest females to ever hold the position.

“The next step would be becoming a partner,” she

explains. “I asked my boss what additional work I needed to do and he said ‘just keep doing what you doing’.”

These days this involves working on multiple projects including a building in Lusaka and offices for the Financial Intelligence Centre.The company has also tasked her with the set-up of their Johannesburg offices.

She may have travelled to exotic places like Mozambique, Turkey, India and Zambia but Cape Town will always be home for Kelly and she holds especially fond memories at her time at CPUT.

“The technical rooting I got at CPUT helped tremendously because in architecture it helps to have a strong technical base before you veer off into design. It all started there,” she says.

HIV TRIUMPH

The recent HIV testing drive was one of the most successful ever held at a university in South Africa.

Thanks to the huge effort by the CPUT HIV/Aids Unit, several staff and students who tested positive are now receiving the support they need.

Head of the unit Dr Ashraf Mohammed says they aimed to test 3500 people during the First Things First HIV Counseling and Testing Campus drive, with a special emphasis on men.

During the two months long drive a whopping 4730 people got tested including 226 staff members.

“We broke our own previous record but also tested the highest number compared to all other universities in South Africa during any of the campus drives,” says Dr Mohammed.

Almost 60 000 condoms were also distributed during that time.

The HIV drive coincided with World TB month and testing was also done for this.

As a technology leader CPUT is constantly looking for cutting edge ways of engaging students.

Recently a group of lecturers, academics and administrative staff gathered for an informative workshop, hosted by development unit Fundani, on enhancing their use of the world’s most popular search engine - Google.

While many of us only use Google to search for information or images, staff members Roux Roussow from Information Technology and Anton Thiart from Civil Engineering shared their own enhanced experience with the search engine.

The pair took the group through a few of Google’s various user platforms like Doc’s, Google+, Blogger and the more effective use of your Gmail email.

Thiart teaches groups of up to 180 students and engages with them on a number of platforms including email and a dedicated civil engineering website he set up.“I never photocopy anything for my students. Everything they need is online at any time,” he said.

“I encourage my students to engage with me on a one on one basis through email.”

POPULAR: Workshop for students and staff enchancing the use of the well-known search engine.

Party Venue Hire

Looking for a venue for your next birthday bash or even a pool party, then look no further.

CPUT boasts several impressive venues that can be hired by staff and students throughout the year. And with hiring costs ranging between R400 and R650, you’ll have much more left in your budget to splash out on other party necessities.

Nadia Kay, from the Facilities Department says the most popular venue is the Bellville Campus Pool Hall, which has already been booked out for December and January 2013.

Accommodating up to 80 people, the venue features open beam ceilings, white-washed

walls and overlooks a pool and garden area. Other winning features are a covered stoep and braai facilities.

The other recreational venue for hire at the Bellville Campus is the Education Hall, which can accommodate 200 people.

MOWBRAY

For those wanting to hold an outdoor picnic or a pool party, then the Pool Area at the Mowbray campus is your best bet. The campus also boasts the 100-seater Barkley Davis Hall, which is a popular wedding venue.

Venturing out into the Winelands, the Wellington campus has plenty to offer party organisers.

Situated on the sports field, the Student Centre Hall is perfect all-year round. In summer months guests can lounge on the wrap-around open stoep area or in winter enjoy the cozy 100-seater hall.

Head of Facilities, Doug Curran says all the venues come with round or square tables. The venues also have adjacent parking, kitchen and bathroom facilities.

For more information on hiring the venues send a mail to the following persons: For Bellville Campus [email protected]; Cape Town and Wellington Campuses [email protected]; Mowbray Campus [email protected]

FOR HIRE: The Pool Hall is one of the most popular recreational venues at the Bellville Campus.

TECH TEACHERS

Page 8: Natural beauty - CPUT Bulletin/CPUT... · their expertise and they did not hesitate to come on board,” ... multigrade facility and bene- ... the idea behind the day is to

CPUT Host Top Rugby Squad

CPUT BULLETIN 8 | APRIL/MAY 2012

BY CANDES KEATING

BY CANDES KEATING | PHOTOGRAPH BY CLIVE GALANT

The CPUT Rugby squad tested their skills against top Argentinean team The Tucuman’s recently.

In an effort to be the South African University champions our boys will play a number of friendly games against local and international teams.

This is in preparation for the University South African Sports Association (USSA) Rugby Championship Tournament which will take place in July.

The Tucuman’s are a professional club in Argentinia, boasting

Rugby in the Western Province has a new boss – CPUT’s Thelo Wakefield.

Wakefield, who has been involved in rugby for the past 20 years, was recently appointed as the President of the Western Province Rugby Football Union and Chairperson of the Stormers rugby team.

Wakefield says he is well prepared for the task at hand as his leadership skills were honed at the University where he is Head of Training and Development.

“CPUT and the former Peninsula Technikon laid the foundation of my knowledge to manage and lead. If not for the university, I would not have been able to take up this position, which requires a good leader,” he says.

As President, Wakefield has big plans for one of South

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an impressive collection of trophies.

PREPARATION

Sports Coordinator Ivan Booysen says CPUT did not win the game, however, the exposure to a highly professional, mature and international team did benefit our players.

“The match was a real eye-opener for our youngsters and good preparation for the university tournament,” he says.

Booysen says exposure to international teams also help

CPUT in creating international links on which they can build.

During the next few weeks there will be no rest for the university’s players, who have a bumper training schedule to follow.

“We have just over two months left to prepare for the tournament.Our students will play matches every Saturday and have practice on weekdays,” says Booysen.

The players who will represent CPUT at the USSA Champions will be announced at the end of May.

Africa’s most loved sports. This includes ensuring the financial stability of Western Province Rugby and making the sport inclusive. “I will also do everything in my power to grow the game of rugby in the Western Province.”

The position of President became vacant after Tobie Titus resigned from the union and joined the Executive Board of the South African Rugby Union.

Titus was the former Head of Student Affairs at CPUT.Wakefield says Titus is an administrator of high quality and set a high standard.

“I will be driving the union with a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of guts,” says Wakefield.

New Rugby Boss

“I will also do everything in my power to grow

the game of rugby in the Western

Province.”

Training head scores top job

Argentineans test our skills

TOUGH: The CPUT Rugby Team battles against the Argentinean team, The Tucuman’s.

LEADER: Thelo Wakefield will head up Western Province Rugby.

SPRINGBOK FAMEAs a schoolboy PR lecturer Rudolph Van Jaarsveldt weighed a hefty 106kg and hardly played any sport.

Which makes the fact that the 25-year-old has just achieved his Springbok colours all the more exciting.

Van Jaarsveldt plays the indigenous sport of Jukskei and received the great news in April after competing in a national tournament.

Jukskei originated in the 1700’s and involves throwing a heavy wooden skei over a distance of between 11 and 16 metres to knock over a peg.

While the concept may sound easy Van Jaarsveldt says it is a mentally and physically challenging sport.

“It teaches you to count, strategise and work in a team,” he says.

Jukskei is a family sport in his household and the dynamic junior lecturer says it was actually his grandmother who taught him to play in their backyard. “Once I started I was hooked. My grandmother played for 12 years,” he says. “These days my father and sister play as well.”

Van Jaarsveldt, who also played hockey for CPUT since 2008, says sport has changed his life.

“At school sport wasn’t very important to me and I weighed 106kg,” he says.

“After school I realised the difference between emotional and hunger eating and I lost the weight and discovered sport.”

A knee injury ended his hockey playing last year but Van Jaarsveldt was happy the doctor gave him the all clear for Jukskei.

Wellington CPUT student Tarene Niehaus also competed in the National Jukskei competition in April.

PR lecturer gets colours for JukskeiBY LAUREN KANSLEY

“It teaches you to count, strategise and

work in a team,”

GLORY: Rudolph Van Jaarsveldt is the first Springbok in his family.